Every teenager knows how painful skin problems can be for a person. But did you also know that skin problems can act as an indicator to your health and wellness. From moles to skin discoloration, there's a lot more going on with skin that is indicative of an impending problem. This visual diagnosis of problems is an ancient eastern medicine technique that is even practice today. Practitioners just look at the face and skin and they know the problem with you.
So here is a list of signs which indicate that there may be more to them than just skin problems:
- Yellow Skin: Having yellow-orange skin tone can be the result of hypothyroidism - an underactive thyroid gland - leading to increased levels of beta-carotene (an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables) in the blood. A problem with the thyroid gland means that it doesn't metabolize the antioxidant as quickly, leading to accumulation of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene can also buildup if you are eating too many carrots, sweet potatoes, squash and drinking too much carrot juice. But along with yellow skin, if the color of your eyes also has a yellowish hue, then it could be a sign of liver disease.
- Colorless Complexion: Pale skin can indicates anemia which indicates lack of iron to make enough hemoglobin, which is responsible for the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
- Dark Lines in the Palm: Dark lines on the palm or deepening of the pigment in the creases of the palms can mean adrenal insufficiency, an endocrine disorder. Also known as Addison's disease, this disease mainly affect women and men aged between 30 and 50 years.
- Brown Patches on Shin: If the fronts of your legs along the shins starts to develop brown spots or little spider veins which eventually start to bleed then it is a sign of diabetes. Velvety plaques around the neck and/or armpit also suggest diabetes.
- Purple Spots on Skin: If you see purple spots on the skin, then they are some broken blood vessels, and can occur due to circulation problems or deficiencies of vitamin C (scurvy). These purple spots are often mistaken for a bruise, but they tend to hang around longer.
- Red, Butterfly-shaped Rash on the Face: A red, butterfly-shaped rash, usually over the bridge of the nose and the cheeks is often the first sign of the autoimmune disease Lupus, which is a life-threatening disorder that requires prompt treatment. It could also be rosacea or contact dermatitis.
- Acne: Although acne is a common problem in teenagers, however in some women, acne can translate to polycystic ovary disease, or PCOS. This acne is a result of hormonal imbalance and can be managed with lifestyle changes and certain medications.
- Saggy Skin: Saggy skin can be a signal of dehydration. Proper hydration naturally plumps skin cells to prevent sagging. For optimal health, doctors suggest eight glasses a day.
- Swelling Under Your Eyes: Swelling of the skin under your eyes may mean you're consuming too much salt, an act that can increase the risk of hypertension and high blood pressure.
- Flesh Colored, Orange-Peel Patches on Back: Flesh-colored lesions on the lower back are signs of a rare genetic disease called tuberous sclerosis that causes benign tumors to grow in the brain and other vital organs.
- Moles: Even though most moles are harmless, they can develop melanoma which is the most deadly form of skin cancer. If you notice a mole that's flat, or more pinkish in color, it's more likely to become cancerous.
Although, the above skin conditions are an indicative of an impending disease, many skin conditions do not indicate that anything else is wrong with you. It is best to take an expert's advice if you notice any irregularities.
